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卷四十二 唐書18: 明宗本紀八

Volume 42 Book of Later Tang 18: Mingzong Annals 8

Chapter 42 of 舊五代史 · Old History of the Five Dynasties
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Chapter 42
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1
殿 使 使 使
On the gengshen new moon of the first month in spring of Changxing 2 Mingzong received New Year congratulations at the Bright Hall with full ceremonial guard. On yichou an edict said the late King of Chu Ma Yin, whose ranks were already supreme, could not be given further posts but should receive a posthumous title, spirit-way stele, and royal burial. 」On renshen the Khitan Eastern Dan prince Tuyu arrived from Bohai with his followers; Mingzong received him at length with enhanced gifts while the court congratulated. On bingzi Cao Yijin of Shazhou became concurrent secretariat director. On dingchou Eastern Dan king Tuoyun presented three state seals. On gengchen Ma Bin of Jingjiang died; court was suspended and he was posthumously made master of writing. On bingxu Gao Conghui of Jingnan left mourning recall and became concurrent secretariat director.
2
使使 使使 使 使使 使
On the jichou new moon of the second month Zhao Yanshou of Song became left martial guard senior general and northern palace bureau commissioner. On guisi an edict moved the civil service examination from night to day, entrants entering together and finishing the same day. On dingyou Mingzong visited the Palace of Utmost Virtue and the homes of An Yuanxin and Eastern Dan prince Tuyu. On xinchou retired master of guests Jia Fu died and court was suspended. An Chonghui, privy commissioner and grand commandant, became inspector grand master and Hedong commissioner, advanced to duke of Yi. On jiyou Chen Gao of the right majestic guard became Yang commissioner. Subordinate prefects were given twenty-five days to take office. Governors, circuit staff, clerks, and county officials had thirty days. Staff attached to a prefecture were exempt. On guichou Li Jingzhou of Bin moved to Xuzhou. Opening unmarked graves was forbidden empire-wide.
3
使 使 使 西西使西 殿使使 使 殿
In the third month on xinyou Tuyu of Bohai was given the surname Eastern Dan and name Muhua, made inspector grand guardian, Andong protector, and Huaihua commissioner with Ruizhen inspection duties. Officers accompanying Muhua home received Huaihua and Guide general ranks. Khitan captives from Dingzhou—Tiyin became Di Huaihui and Zegu Lie Zhien, both inspector right cavalry attendant. Sheli Zelaji took the surname Yuan and name Zhigan; Yugui took Fu and Huaizao; Jieshiqi of the Xi took Yi Huaiyou; all three became inspector heir-apparent guests. On jiazi former master of guests Wang Qiong became master of transport. On bingyin Prince Li Congke became left guard senior general. Congke had lost Hedong and lived in Qinghua Lane; when An Chonghui left for Hedong Mingzong summoned him weeping: "As Chonghui wished, you would never meet again! 」Hence this post. On renshen Kong Xun of Cangzhou died and court was suspended. On yihai Wang Sitong, western capital regent, became Shannan West commissioner and western campaign chief adjutant. On gengchen Nie Yanzuo became palace supervisor and Yang Hanzhang of Yunzhou became An commissioner. On yiyou retired grand master Qian Liu was restored as supreme commander, august father, and king of Wu-Yue after his son Yuanjuan confessed fault in memorial. On dinghai Li Yu of ceremonies became secretariat vice director, grand councillor, and hall of assembled worthies academician.
4
使使使 使使 使 使使 使 使使 使使 使 使
In the fourth month Wang, imperial consort of virtue, was advanced to graceful consort. Qian Liu was again exempted from having his name written in memorials. Eunuch An Xilun was executed for spying on Mingzong at An Chonghui's orders. On dingyou Mingzong feasted officials at the Festival Garden and then visited Henan prefecture. Officials were forbidden to levy map fees on taking office; and destroying local monuments was banned lest records of worthies be lost. On wuxu an edict ordered the di offering at the Grand Temple in the fourth month. Li Sizhao, Zhou Dewei, and Fu Cunshen were given collateral offerings in Zhuangzong's temple. On jihai Zhang Qianzhao of Xuzhou became Fengxiang commissioner. On guimao Yao Zongzhi of Bianzhou became vice revenue minister and Li Xie former clan director became director of works. On jiachen Zhao Yanshou became inspector grand tutor, acting rites minister, and privy commissioner. On yisi Liu Zhongyin of Lu moved to Qinzhou. Mingzong prayed for rain at Longmen temple. On jiyou Shi Jingtang of Tianxiong became deputy of the six armies and guards. On xinhai Zhu Hongzhao of Fengxiang became left martial guard senior general and southern palace bureau commissioner. On renzi Lu Zhi of war became Heyang commissioner. On jiayin Xia Luqi of Suizhou died on duty and court was suspended. An edict said: "Prolonged drought weighs on our heart. Let prefectural chiefs review trials, correct wrongful detention, and release all prisoners except those condemned to death."
5
殿 使使 便 使使 使 使 使 使
On the wuwu new moon of the fifth month Mingzong held court at the Civilized Illumination Hall. On gengshen Zhang Yanlang, three departments commissioner, became Yanzhou commissioner. On xinyou an edict forbade court agents traveling circuits from meddling with regional lords, placing favorites, or secretly or openly directing staff. Violators would demote the recommender and exile the seeker. If a local chief showed favoritism only the displaced official could appeal; the chief lost two months' pay, the recommender was punished more severely, and the displaced man kept his post. 」On jiazi Cui Zhuang asked to gather unofficial histories since Xuanzong for compilation, and it was approved. On dingmao cities kept the wine monopoly but official brew sold at half price. Field wine taxes were remitted and villagers could brew freely. 」The change greatly helped the people. On wuchen the secretariat's request to increase mourning gifts for officials was approved. On dingchou Liu Yue became minister of ceremonies. On jimao Meng Hanqiong became right guard senior general, acting palace attendant director, and northern palace bureau commissioner. On xinsi former Xiangzhou inspector Meng Hu became left valiant guard senior general and three departments commissioner. On jiashen Ma Xifan, acting Lang prefect, became Hong commissioner and inspector grand tutor; Ma Xiyi, acting Gui prefect, became E commissioner and inspector grand mentor. On yiyou Bo Wen became Jinzhou acting commissioner. Liu Ying of guests tried to sell a ritual scholar's credentials to Liu Juzhe; though capital sentence was reduced by amnesty he lost office and rank for life. Officials had to surrender Tang and Liang appointment records for verification and new credentials based only on post-restoration appointments. Legitimate yin heirs, if genuine, were to be recorded regardless of birth status; where there were no heirs only one adopted successor with existing enrollment could claim yin; invalid documents had to be destroyed within a hundred days. using burned documents for office afterward brought capital punishment on holder and transmitter. All yin candidates had to follow regulations and statutes."
6
使 使 使 使 使使使 使 使使 使
On gengyin of the intercalary month An Chonghui was allowed to retire as grand tutor of the heir apparent. That day Chonghui's sons Chongxu and others secretly fled to Hedong. Zhang Wenbao became vice war minister. An Chongruan of Kuizhou abandoned his post and surrendered at the gate; he was pardoned. Dong Zhang was raiding the gorges and Chongruan had fled before him. On renchen Li Congzhang of Shan moved to Hedong. On guichou Luzhou became the Zhaoshun Army. On jiawu Yao Yanzhang of Heng became Zhaoshun commissioner. On dingyou An Chonghui reported his sons Chongzan and Chongxu detained and sent to court. 」When Chongxu reached Shan he was jailed by edict. On jihai An Chonghui was stripped of rank and his wife A Zhang and sons Chongzan and Chongxu were sentenced to death; other kin were spared. On renyin Cui Jujian became works minister and Wang Quan personnel vice minister became left secretariat director. On bingwu An Congjin, escort horse commander, became Shan commissioner. On dingwei Yang Ningshi became left cavalry attendant. On wushen Wang Jingkan became Xin commissioner. On jiyou Li Su became left golden crow senior general. On renzi Yao Yanchou became Bin commissioner. On guichou Liu Xingcong of Bin died; court was suspended and he was posthumously grand tutor. Offices were to post their duties from statutes and the 《Six Offices Canon》 on hall walls for compliance.
7
西 使 簿 使使使使使 使 使使使 使使使 使
On the dingsi new moon of the sixth month the law examination was restored along with the 《Kaiyuan Rites》. On yichou Li Congke became again inspector grand tutor, grand councillor, acting Jingzhao intendant, and western capital regent. On gengwu Zhang Wen of Bin became right dragon martial commander. On jiaxu Shao, eighth-generation descendant of Wei Zheng, became Anning county chief clerk. On yihai Conghou of Song became Xingtang intendant; Shi Jingtang took Heyang-Tianxiong; Shi Jingban took Heyang while keeping six armies deputy. On bingzi circuit inspectors were to equalize seedling tax by reallocating surplus land from wealthy to poor households, with heirs re-surveyed, fixing quotas from this year. On yimao Li Congmin of Ding moved to Zhen and Lu Zhi became Cang commissioner. On gengchen imperial grandson Chongmei, crown prince aide, became vice director of merit; Chongzhen and six below received honorary regular general and acting commissioner posts. On renwu former Qin commissioner Li Dechong became Ding commissioner and deputy northern campaign suppression commissioner. Taiyuan shook. Mingzong ordered that in trials everywhere the governing statutes, regulations, and new decrees be placed atop the dossier before judgment. On yiyou former Qian commissioner Yang Hanbin became commander of the Feathered Forest. An edict ended seizures of provincial bureau shops, residences, and estates.
8
使使使 使 使 使 便調 使
On gengyin in the seventh month acting palace horse guard commander Zhang Congshi of Deng became Shou commissioner and palace foot guard commander. On renchen Wang Yanjun of Fujian asked that seven shrines in his circuit receive kingly titles. 」The court replied: figures named in historical texts should be titled King of Min-Yue Fuyi; the rest might be worshipped locally. 」On yimao Mingzong raised circuit recommendations: commissioners from three to five per year; those without commissioner rank from two to three; direct capital defense and training commissioners from one to two. 」Another edict: former court or staff service entitled county officers to retainer treatment after leaving office. Provincial-title holders, probationary inner attendants, and selection graduates demoted to magistrate or recorder were to be appointed on leaving without regular rotation. County officers with sixteen evaluations gained Court Scattered rank and selection-rule treatment. 」The Revenue Commission said private brewing had not reached government yards— fearing shortfall they asked to restore the old liquor monopoly, unify rural and urban rules, and surrender brewed liquor for grain refunds. 」Approved. On jiachen former Jin commissioner Zhu Hanbin retired as grand guardian of the heir apparent. On gengxu Ju Keyong of Da li was demoted to Deng registrar; Pei Xuan of punishments to Weiwei aide; Li Guangxu and acting Da li chief Ren Zan each lost a rank and a quarter's pay for sentencing errors.
9
使 使 使使 滿 殿 使 殿 西
On bingyin in the eighth month commercial tax offices nationwide were told to appoint local agents to meet annual quotas. Wang Rong's son Zhaohui, heir to the extinct Prince of Zhao line, became court discussant and vice director of agriculture with a purple-gold fish bag. On xinchou Qianzhou became Zhaoxin circuit. On guihai Lu Wenji of rites became secretariat director; Ma Gao of the secretariat became crown prince guest; Luo Zhoujing of the left gate became right collar general; former Huai prefect Lou Jiying became left gate general. On yichou Mingzong ordered Da li officers to advance like central ministry officials and legal clerks to rank like ritual clerks. One hundred strings monthly from circuit fines were to go to punishments and Da li, punishments taking one-third. 」On bingyin Ma Xizhen of Wuping kept grand marshal and palace attendant and became Qian-Zhaoxin commissioner. Clerks posted outside were to return to their bureaus when terms ended after prefectural memorial. 」On jisi retired grand tutor Wang Jianli and retired grand guardian Zhu Hanbin both asked to go home. Retired officials at court and in the provinces were freed from travel restrictions. On xinwei Liu Xu, Hanlin scholar and war vice minister, kept rank and became a Hall of Bright Comprehension academician; Left Reminder Li Song, direct privy councilor, became privy council academician. On renshen Li Chengyue of the left Majestic Dragon became Lu commissioner. On guiyou Mingzong kept five-day inner attendance but ended rotating audience speeches. Sealed memorials could be filed anytime; new- and full-moon palace entry and awaiting audience followed old rules. 」On yihai Hanlin scholar and works vice minister Dou Mengzheng died. On dingchou former western capital vice defender Liang Wenju became war minister. On jimao Mingzong forbade recommending silver-green rank for county posts. On renwu courtiers, lords, and prefects without prior honors might receive posthumous enfeoffment when burying kin. Retired rites minister Li Dexiu died.
10
使 使西 使使 使
On bingxu in the ninth month former Yan commissioner Fu Yanchao became left Majestic Dragon commander. On jihai Murong Hua of Huaihua and Eastern Dan received the surname Li and name Zanhua and was made duke of Longxi county. All Khitan already assigned to armies received surnames. Farm colonies might till only ownerless land and recruit floating clients, not hold registered households. On xinchou privy councilor Fan Yanguang, acting grand tutor and punishments minister, added co-director while keeping his post. On renyin Feng Qiao of the secretariat became rites vice minister and Lu Tan of rites became revenue vice minister. On guimao Li Congwen of Xu moved to Hedong. County officers were forbidden to sit with wealthy locals in the council hall. On xinhai hawks and falcons in the five workshops were released and future tribute was banned.
11
使 使 便
On wuwu in the tenth month former Beijing defender and Taiyuan governor Feng Yun became Xu commissioner. On xinyou Left Censor Li Xiang asked that prolonged Beijing earthquakes be met with envoys to comfort the people, inquire into hardship, and sacrifice to mountains and rivers. 」Approved. Earlier Taiyuan's acting commissioner had reported secretly with none daring to speak; Mingzong praised Li Xiang and granted new robes. On bingyin new appointees entitled to posthumous honors were told to file at once with the proper bureau. Wives and sons under statute likewise. Outside officers who had sat at court received honors by former rank. Yin appointments went to earlier recipients first, later ones by date. 」Approved.
12
殿 使使 使 使使 使使 使西使
On the jiashen new moon in the eleventh month the sun was eclipsed. On jichou, winter solstice, Mingzong received congratulations at Bright Culture Hall. On dingyou Zhang Ji, Hanlin scholar and chief recorder, became war vice director and edict drafter; Zhang Xichong of Ru became Ling's acting commissioner of both types. On gengzi Hua Wenqi of the left Majestic Guard became Hua commissioner. Wang Yanjun of Fuzhou reported executing Wang Yanbing of Jian and his son Jixiong. On renyin circuit deputies might be compared after one year, recorders and aides after two, inspectors after three. Each appointment might adjust rank, insignia, or title as appropriate. Liu Zan, censor-in-chief, became punishments vice minister; Sun Yue of Feng became western pass commissioner. On renzi Yan reported the Yellow River had flooded and drowned more than four thousand households. On guichou Cui Yan of the supervisors of attendants became censor-in-chief.
13
西 使 使使 西
On the jiayin new moon in the twelfth month the iron ban was lifted so people could cast farm tools; summer-autumn fields paid one and a half cash per mu. On yimao Mingzong hunted west of the capital. On dingsi Liu Xun of Zhangwu died and court was suspended in mourning. On gengwu former Li commissioner Kang Sili became Shan commissioner. Qinzhou shook. On dingchou the Revenue Commission was ordered to sustain families of soldiers passing through Xichuan.
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